Troops of Operation Savannah Shield intercepted a vehicle conveying eight 50kg bags of ammonium chloride, a substance which laboratory examination later confirmed as a key precursor component used in the manufacture of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

The vehicle was intercepted along Eruku-Egbe road in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, on February 28, 2026. The Director Defence Media Operations (DMO), Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, said.

Onoja said that when the driver of the vehicle was unable to produce any authorisation documents for the transportation of the substance, it was subsequently taken to the laboratory for examination.

“The driver and recovered substances are in custody pending further investigation and appropriate legal action,” he said.

He said that the troops Savannah Shield have expanded their operational footprint in Kwara and Niger states, conducting targeted intelligence-driven offensives against terrorist hideouts located in dense forested areas and border terrains.

Onoja said that several terrorists were neutralised across the two states and substantial quantities of arms and related materials were recovered, further degrading the capacity of criminal elements to sustain attacks or threaten civilian populations.

“A major operational success occurred on 1 March 2026 in Roguwa Forest, Patigi LGA of Niger State. Acting on credible human intelligence from adjoining communities, troops engaged terrorists in intense firefights.

“Over 17 terrorists were neutralised during the encounter, while several others were observed fleeing the forest with severe injuries. Clearance and follow-on operations are ongoing to locate, engage and completely eliminate the remaining terrorist elements in the general area,” he said.

Similarly, Onoja said in neighbouring Kogi State, 12 suspected terrorists were arrested at Atachi in Lokoja LGA, claiming affiliation with Miyetti Allah, but failed to produce any verifiable means of identification.

On the 12 suspects nabbed at Atachi in Lokoja, the DMO said exploitation of their mobile phones revealed contact details saved in formats consistent with known terrorist communication patterns, including several numbers stored under coded and suspicious aliases.

According to him, this strongly suggested links to criminal elements. Items recovered from them include one AK-47 rifle, AK-47 magazine, substantial rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, mobile phones and ₦645,000. “All suspects and exhibits are in custody for further investigation.

“These were some of the key achievements recorded by troops across Theatres between February 28 and March 6, 2026,” Onoja said.

Meanwhile, the DMO said that troops of Operation Fansan Yamma in the North West apprehended two suspected terrorists receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Galadimawa, Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State on March 2, 2026, following credible intelligence.

He said the doctor, who attended to the terrorists, escaped, adding that “Investigations revealed that the arrested individuals, along with several others, had sustained injuries during prior encounters with troops and were seeking treatment under disguise.

“When compelled to lead troops to other hideouts, the suspects attempted to escape during an ambush but were neutralised alongside additional terrorist fighters.” (The Guardian)

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